The Speak to Scale Podcast

Meet The Speak to Scale Agency! We offer full-service speaker management and strategy to business owners who want to scale through speaking, but don't have the capacity to do it on their own. We've got the expertise, the connections, and the passion to support you on your speaker journey.  Learn how The Speak to Scale Agency came to be, how we do things differently, and how we serve speakers in this episode! For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/232

Sarah Michelle is the founder of SMNP Reviews, an educational platform that helps students pass nurse practitioner exams. She's also a public speaker, podcast host, mother, and of course, a former nurse practitioner herself. I've had the honor of helping Sarah with a big keynote presentation over the past few months. When I learned more about her and heard her story, I knew I had to get her on the podcast so she could share it with you all.  In this episode, Sarah and I talk about how she started her business, how mental health is built into its core, collaborating with her students, and more. For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/231

There's this misconception out there that a busy speaker is a successful speaker. You see someone booking all the podcast interviews, getting all the media attention, and speaking at all the events, and you think, "Dang, that speaker's made it. They know what they're doing!" But that's not always the case. Trust me, I work with some of these speakers. And so many of them come to me in a panic because they dropped tons of money booking these engagements and aren't seeing results. Or they're getting attention, but no sales or leads. That's what happens when you say yes to speaking opportunities that aren't right for you. You can accomplish so much more by saying no! Let's talk about what that means below. For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/230

"As a beginner speaker, you have to get on stage. Traditional speaking events are the only way to go." Have you heard this idea before? Is it something you believed before you started speaking? Well, friends…it's not true. Speaking does not always mean you have to get a spot in a conference with thousands of attendees. There are so many unconventional speaking opportunities that are actually better fits for beginner speakers! And one of those opportunities that I always recommend to clients? Podcasting. Yes, you can start speaking with podcasts, either as a host or a guest. Find out how (and why) below.  For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/229   

What's the key to making speaking work for your business? Well, not just work. It can help your business grow, help you make an impact on the world, and help you create the life you've always wanted. The key is to figure out the path to successful speaking that's best for you. If you don't — and you jump into speaking without understanding your strategy first — speaking can quickly become this extra task on your plate that's not getting you results. Luckily, I've mapped out the three paths to profitable speaking for you below! Which path will you choose? For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/228

As a business owner, it's easy to get into the habit of putting everything and everyone else first. You keep serving your clients, helping them accomplish their goals, and grow their businesses. What you want, like speaking, gets put on the back burner. I see this happen all the time with our clients. And I do the exact same thing. I've spent so much time helping my clients move forward on their speaking journey (which I love) but I haven't spent enough time on my own speaking platform! It's time we changed that. It's time to prioritize yourself in 2024. For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/227

A friend recently reached out to me and asked if she should pay to speak at a certain event. When I realized I had been invited to speak at that same event the night before — without being required to pay — I found out that paying to speak was now a thing. And I needed to talk about it on the podcast. This episode is not meant to bash the whole pay to speak method, or make you feel bad if you've tried it. I want to bring light to things that are happening in the speaking industry so that you have the information you need to make your own decisions. With that being said…let's dive in. For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/226

Recently I was thinking of an old business friend for a potential speaking opportunity when I realized something: I hadn't "seen" them online in a while. Which isn't uncommon on social media with algorithms that are always changing. But when I looked them up, I found that they were doing something completely different with their business. This happens more than you think. (Hello, 2020.) If you're pivoting your business or have shifted it already, you need to make sure your speaking strategy can sustain the change. For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/225

The world feels like a heavy place to live in right now. Things feel broken, maybe even irreparable. Whether you're directly affected by current events, feel anxious about what's happening in the world, or are going through something personal, it's understandable if you're having a hard time serving your people. How do you stay motivated with speaking when you don't actually feel motivated? How can you show up on stage to motivate, lead, or inspire others to take action when everything sucks? And what's the point if it feels like we can't make a difference? I'm here to help, my friend. Let's talk tips on staying motivated and taking care of yourself when it feels like the end of the world. For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/224-1

Browse through the backlog of this podcast with over 200 episodes (!!), and you'll find a lot of advice on preparing to speak on stage. Advice like overcoming your speaking anxiety, using slides in your presentation, and practicing so that your flow and rhythm are natural. These topics make sense; as a speaker, you want your voice and talk to make a big impact. But what about how you look while you're speaking? If you struggle with body image and feeling comfortable in your skin, delivering a killer presentation can seem downright impossible. Registered Dietician, coach, public speaker, and podcast host Brittany Braswell joined me on The Speak to Scale Podcast to talk about food and body obsession, how it can affect speakers from showing up, and how to feel more confident when speaking on stage For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/223 

Everyone, please welcome back to the Speak to Scale Podcast…Arel Moodie! Arel joined me on the podcast way back in Episode 59, where we talked about how a mentor can help you become a successful speaker. With Arel as my own mentor, I can attest to that.  He's built several 7-figure businesses based on speaking and spoken to over 750,000 people all over the world. Arel returned to the podcast today to talk about his newest venture that helps speakers market themselves with data: Talkadot.  For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/222

There's a myth out there about what the "natural progression" of getting paid to speak looks like. At first, all you do is take free speaking gigs. You're putting in your time and paying your dues. No one will want to pay to book you…yet. Until you slowly start replacing unpaid speaking engagements with paid engagements. When that happens, you've "made it." Like I said, this is a myth! This is usually what speaking looks like for those who want to become professional speakers. It's not the case for business owners who want to leverage speaking for their business. The truth is, you can do both — speak for free and get paid to speak — and make it work for your business. Both of them are valuable parts of your speaking strategy. And here's why… For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/221

Recently I got to speak with Racheal Cook of The CEO Collective and Promote Yourself to CEO podcast. She shared so many nuggets of wisdom (including how to find speaking opportunities) that I'm so excited to share with you all. Racheal serves women entrepreneurs who run service-based businesses who are ready to sustainably scale, without sacrificing life, family, health, or themselves. How did she get into this "life first" mindset and business? By experiencing the harsh "work first" mentality throughout her education and career — and realizing she didn't want that for her future. In this episode, Racheal and I talk about where The CEO Collective came from, finding the best speaking opportunities for your biz, the value of niches, and more! For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/220

No matter what industry your business serves, you'll have to weather busy and slow seasons. But does that same principle apply to your speaker journey? Are there times you should be working on speaking for your biz? The answer? Always.  Whether your calendar is packed with speaking opportunities, you're focusing on pitching, or you're connecting with your audience on social media, you have to plan for all the speaking seasons. That's how you make it a consistent part of your business! For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/219

You can write your own talk, or you can have someone else write it for you. (Like me!) But the question is, should you? That depends. Your goal is always to deliver a great presentation, but the way you create it will be influenced by a couple of different things. Let's dig in to see if you should outsource or not. For full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/218

In the early years of my business, I was on calls with a bunch of ideal clients to gain information for a program I was developing. After a few calls, I noticed something: almost every single one of my clients had either been a teacher or wanted to be a teacher when they were young. It was fascinating! My people were educators at heart. It was fascinating but also odd because I, personally, never wanted to be a teacher! And here I am today, 5+ years into homeschooling my two kids. Wild, right?! But now, I love it so much. It's not easy, but it's worth it.  Homeschooling my kids has taught me so much about my kids, myself, the art of teaching, and yes, even speaking. For full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/217

You know those moments when someone asks you a simple question and it just blows your mind? A question that makes you fully pause and appreciate its greatness? I got one of those questions a few months ago from a client. She asked, "Knowing what you know now…if you had to start from scratch today, what would you do to see success as a speaker, fast?" I know, right?! This question damn near took my breath away. But the cool thing is, my answer was simple. I'd follow the Speaker Sprint Gameplan. What is the Speaker Sprint Gameplan? How did it come to be? And how can you use it for your own speaking journey? I got answers to your questions below. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/216

If you have a garden or have thought about starting one, I bet you have a Pinterest-perfect image of what it looks like in your mind. Cedar-raised beds, flowering arches, an ivy-covered picket fence, birds singing… Unless you have an unlimited amount of time, money, and land, that's not what your garden will look like right out of the gate…and the same goes for speaking.  Why do I compare the two? Because starting a garden is a lot like speaking, actually. You won't be a perfect, successful speaker from the moment you step on a stage for the first time. You need to start small, be patient, and learn from your experiences. Let's take a closer look at why gardening is a lot like starting your speaking journey.  For full show notes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/215  

Yep, you read that right. I've said goodbye to a signature program — The Speaking Strategy Academy — that's been a core part of the business since 2019. Learn why I retired my speaking group coaching program and what I hope other business owners can learn from my experience. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/214

In the previous episode, I talked about showcasing yourself as a speaker on your website. If you haven't listened to it yet, here's a spoiler alert: I told y'all to start with the marketing assets you have and upgrade or add more as you continue speaking.  Having a speaker website is definitely important. But how do you get people to find that website? That's where social media comes in. Showcasing yourself as a speaker through social media content is just as important, if not more important, than having a great speaker page.  For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/213

I got a great question from someone in my workshop recently: "I've spoken at three virtual events. What's the best way to showcase them?" While we'd all love a perfectly produced, Insta-worthy speaker Reel to show off our skills, the reality is, most of us aren't there yet. When it comes to marketing yourself as a speaker, I want you to market what you have. And a handy tool for doing this is to create a speaker website. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/212

You know that speaking is an excellent way to grow your business. You've even begun taking steps to do that, like searching for speaker events near you or listening to podcast episodes on how to start speaking (wink, wink). But so far, speaking isn't working for you. If you've started thinking that you don't have what it takes to be a speaker or aren't good enough at speaking, I want you to stop right there. I say this with all the kindness and love I have: you're wrong, friend. You can become an amazing speaker. Let's figure out why you're not getting the results you want and how to get you back on track toward your speaking goals. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/211  

So. You wanna get paid to speak. We all do! But, um…where are those paid speaking engagements? Do you find them, or do they find you?  I've gotten these questions a few times from audience members, clients, and social media followers. Getting paid to speak isn't talked about very much, so it all feels very secretive and mysterious. But there isn't a magical list of events and organizers that are looking for paid speakers.  It really comes down to two things: targeting the right events for you, and requiring a speaker fee. Let's talk about it.  For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/210

When it comes to writing your talks, how do you feel? Maybe you love delivering your speeches onstage, but writing them down beforehand feels like torture. Or, maybe you love creative writing, but channeling your creativity into a structured, strategic presentation feels impossible. I've been there, folks. Writing a talk from start to finish can be tough! So, let's go behind-the-scenes today, where you'll learn how I craft talks for my clients. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/209

Why do some speakers stand out over others? Why are some memorable and some…not so much? Why do some speakers look so effortless and personable when they're on stage? In short, what ACTUALLY makes a great speaker? I bet you wouldn't believe me if I said personality has nothing to do with it. If you're extroverted, shy, loud, awkward — it doesn't matter. What makes a great speaker is perspective…and your ability to see the world through the eyes of other people.  For full show notes and links: https://www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/208

Have you been churning out podcast pitches left and right, only to get a bunch of "no thank you" responses back? Or even worse, no responses at all? You might be thinking that there's something wrong with you, your pitch, your brand, what have you. But I bet that's not the case. Your podcast pitches may be falling flat if you're not doing your homework properly. In this episode, I talk about some mistakes you might be making with your podcast pitches, plus how to rectify them — so you can start reaching new audiences and building authority via podcast interviews. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/207

If you're listening to this podcast or reading these show notes, there's a good chance you could already use a little help scaling your speaking. You feel amazing in front of an audience, but you're unsure if your speaking opportunities are the best for your business. Or your calendar is booked out with engagements, but you're not getting any new leads or clients. You don't have to go on your speaker journey alone! You can and should find support, whether you're a new speaker crafting your story, a seasoned speaker optimizing your process, or somewhere in between. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/206  

What makes an in-demand speaker so popular? Why do event organizers and planners flock to certain speakers instead of others? What are they doing right that you can learn from and apply to your own speaking journey? I can't say for sure since everyone is unique…but I have a pretty good idea. And you know what? Becoming one of those most-booked speakers involves more than sending a gazillion pitches. It's about who you are off of the stage.  For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/205

You've booked an incredible speaking opportunity. You're ready to get onstage in front of your dream clients or customers. You want to prime your audience to buy your offer, but you're not exactly sure how to do that. Is it too salesy to introduce your do-it-yourself services from the very beginning of your talk? How do you talk about done-for-you offers without sounding pushy or arrogant? And what's the difference between DFY and DIY anyhow? In this episode, I share answers to your burning questions and break it all down for you, so don't worry. Let's dig in. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/204

I've talked about whether you should always get paid for speaking opportunities before; long story short, it depends on the event itself. Speaking opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Getting booked doesn't necessarily mean you'll be onstage at a conference. And that's great news for us speakers, because it means that we can show up for our people in so many ways. But when you are getting paid, I want you to charge what you're worth. In this episode, I talk about what's actually included in your speaker fee. What are organizers or hosts "buying" when they book you? Hint: It's not the number of minutes you spend onstage. For full show notes and links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/203  

On this podcast, we've talked a lot about pitching yourself. Promoting your business and speaking journey. Connecting with the right people or getting on the right stages at the right time. It's a lot to take in! Which is why I wanted to get back to the basics for a bit and discuss what to say when promoting your talk. There are three major details you want to focus on: your title, talk, and takeaway. This exercise will help you prepare to promote your talk, no matter what opportunity it's for. Big or little, paid or unpaid, virtual or in-person — you should always be ready to market yourself and your talk. For full show notes and links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/202

You're talking to event organizers and planners about speaking opportunities later this year. But…everyone seems to be asking you for slightly different things. One planner wants to hire you for a keynote, while another asks if you can host a workshop for their seminar.  Is there a difference? Does it matter?  Yes, and yes. You may call your content "presentations," but depending on who you ask, someone else may call it a keynote speech, a breakout session, a program, a seminar, a workshop…the list goes on.  To ensure that you're delivering a talk that's right for the audience and event, you have to know the differences between a keynote and a workshop. Let's talk about it. For full show notes and links: thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/201

For full show notes and links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/200 The last few years have been anything but what we expected. Even with the ups and downs, speaking has stayed strong. Where we spoke, who we spoke to, or what we spoke about may have changed… but speaking is clearly here to stay for the long haul.  As we look ahead to 2023, what will the speaking world look like for you and I? What can you expect as you continue your speaking journey…or take the first step as a new speaker this year? In today's episode, we're discussing the speaking trends we'll see in 2023 and what you can do to make the most of the year ahead.

For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/199 Did you know that public speaking anxiety, or glossophobia, affects about 73% of the population? That's a lot! Nearly three in four people are afraid of speaking in public.  Fear of public speaking is frustrating. I get it. You want to get on stage to scale your business, but that fear is sometimes so strong it can hold you back. However, there are ways to manage and overcome your public speaking anxiety. You can work through that fear and get on the stage to serve your audience.

For full shownotes and links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/198 Podcasts are one of the most fun places to flex your speaking skills. And I'm not just saying that as a podcaster! While there's no experience quite like speaking in front of a live audience, podcasts are exciting in a different way. There's something really cool about sharing your message with your audience in a quiet, intimate setting.  But first, you have to get booked by a podcast host. And before that, your pitch has to actually get read. So how do you become one of those in-demand podcast guests that hosts always want to say yes to? 

For full show notes and links go to www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/197 "My publicist will be in touch." Sounds fancy, doesn't it? Many of us get the impression that only celebrities or CEOs of huge companies have public relations, or PR, for themselves and their organizations. But truthfully, every business can benefit from good PR! And you don't have to hire an expensive publicist for your team to handle the PR for you. You can market your business and yourself as a speaker on your own. That's what we'll talk about below: what PR is, how it's different from marketing, and what you can achieve with it.

Full show notes, links, and more: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/196 Calling all coaches! Are you looking for that perfect coaching client?  You know who I'm talking about. Someone who's in line with your values, and the vision for your business. Someone whose personality vibes with yours. Someone who you know would be a dream to coach. You want to help people, of course, but your job would be even better and more fulfilling if you could truly connect with your clients and build strong relationships with them. You know you can help your client even more if you're both on the same page. Well, my friend, speaking can help you find those perfect clients.  

If you're working on your speaking craft, one of the most helpful things to remember is that you will make mistakes when speaking. You'll fumble a word. Forget what to say next. Totally freeze up for a second. These things will happen, and usually, they won't be noticed by anyone other than you. However, there are some mistakes that can and should be avoided early on in your speaking journey. Let's talk about what those first-time speaking mistakes are and why you should try your best to avoid them. For full show notes and links go to www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/195

"I'm too shy to speak!" If I had a nickel for every time I've heard this when chatting with people about speaking… Here's the truth. Some of the most impactful speeches have come from people who consider themselves shy or introverted. You don't need to be an extrovert who loves public speaking to thrive on stage.  You just have to learn a few tricks that will help you calm your nerves and make speaking feel more natural for you. That's what we'll get into in this episode. Full show notes and links at www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/194

"Am I ready? Am I good enough? Can I really be a speaker?" Do these questions sound familiar to you? Maybe you've been waiting to become a speaker until you reach a certain level of success or hit a milestone in your business. But you know what? You already have what you need to become a successful speaker.  All you have to do is tap into your skills that'll take you to the next level. In this episode, I talk about what those skills are and what it takes to become an amazing speaker. Click here for the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/192

Friend, life is full of a series of seasons and some of them stretch us more than others. Some seasons cause us to have to make tough calls. For me, I'm in one of those seasons right now and so I am going to make a tough call that I didn't plan to make. I will be pausing the production of The Speak to Scale Podcast for the summer. Listen to this episode to learn why.   Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/190

As a business owner, you want to help your clients have success and impact. The best way to do this is by identifying where you shine and then using your expertise to help others do the same. In this episode, Sharice Enis shares how she took her love for marketing automation and turned it into a business where she now helps her clients have the success they've always dreamed of. Review show notes and transcript at:https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/189

You may think that speaking is reserved for professional paid speakers or for those who use speaking as a sales mechanism. Friend, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to speaking. As an agency owner, you probably don't fit into the traditional speaking roles but speaking can still help you scale your business in ways that you can't even imagine. Review show notes and transcript at:https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/187

If you own an agency, you may be wondering what it actually looks like to add speaking to your business. In this episode, Stephanie Skryzowski shares her strategy that secures consistent clients. She has successfully grown and scaled her agency in such a way that she's always ready for more clients and has used speaking as a method to do that. Review show notes and transcript at:https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/186

How does your role as a speaker change as you are adding members to your team? As your business grows and more people are on your team, you need to decide if these team members should be a part of your speaking strategy. Speaking is about so much more than ourselves. In this episode, I speak with Joey Vitale about how he has empowered his team to speak and the importance of showing more faces of the people in your business. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/185

Are you at a place where you're starting to shift your business model? Friend, there are going to be some growing pains as you embark upon this journey. However, you can ease those pains when you add speaking to the mix. In this episode, I share what it looks like to shift your business model, prepare for the road ahead, and overcome the obstacles quickly. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/184

We don't often talk about the financial side of speaking, but it's important to take a hard look at our numbers so that we can make better decisions for our future. Visibility without a clear strategy is a fast track to burning yourself out, friend. Being intentional about increasing sales requires making strategic decisions. In this episode, Danielle Hayden and I discuss what we need to be considering and doing every time that we are looking at taking on a speaking opportunity. Review show notes and transcript at:https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/183

Having a steady stream of passive income seems amazing, right? Unfortunately, the promise of passive income isn't always as passive as it seems, friend. In this episode, Trena Little will take you behind the scenes on how she has created passive income by scaling digital offers with speaking. You will hear about all the ups, downs, and everything in between. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/182

Do you have a digital product that either you offer for sale or for free? Friend, speaking engagements can help you scale your business when you are in front of the right audience. In this episode, you will hear success stories from business owners who have used speaking engagements to promote their digital products, along with helpful information for anyone who wants their digital product business to grow. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/181